Solar plus Storage for Resilient Communities

Funding Opportunities

Grants will support 52 planning and 39 installation solar projects that will provide back-up power for community buildings to serve emergency and other critical needs statewide. OLYMPIA, WA — The Washington State Department of Commerce today announced $35.4 million in grants to local, state, and tribal governments and non-profits to plan and install solar and battery back-up power at community buildings. The projects will provide clean back-up power for critical

Rural communities to benefit from nearly $5 million in new state Clean Energy Fund investments
Commerce awards $4.76 million to dairy digester bioenergy and other innovative clean energy projects in seven rural communities OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Department of Commerce today announced seven grants totaling $4.76 million from the state’s Clean Energy Fund to enhance dairy digesters and advance clean energy in rural communities. These investments will result in improved air and water quality or soil health, reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, and
Currently evaluating grant applications for 2023 funding round
Grant applications for the 2023 Solar plus Storage for Resilient Communities program with up to $35.4 million available were due March 23, 2023. The opportunity includes two tracks: Track 1: Planning and Predevelopment grants will be awarded to projects that identify sites, complete community outreach and engagement to identify community needs, complete feasibility studies, or develop cost estimates, specifications, or other early design work. Track 2: Installation grants will be
Technical Assistance
Commerce is offering two technical assistance opportunities at no cost to a limited number of communities through the Solar plus Storage for Resilient Communities program. This assistance will position communities to apply for future funding through Commerce’s Solar plus Storage for Resilient Communities grant program. Commerce will prioritize requests from rural, tribal, and other communities most vulnerable to the impacts from power outages and emergencies.
- Planning Assistance: This energy resilience planning assistance opportunity will explore the best energy resilience systems based on specific community needs to help you navigate and prepare for future funding opportunities. An energy resilience specialist from Commerce’s Energy Resilience and Mitigation Team will provide this assistance.
- Feasibility Studies: If you have selected a site or sites for a solar plus storage system. Feasibility studies will help you size your solar plus storage system, identify permitting, zoning, and interconnection considerations, and identify costs and financial benefits. Commerce has selected two vendors, Cascadia Renewables and Sazan Group, who will provide these feasibility studies at no cost to communities.
To request planning assistance or help with a feasibility study, please complete the Vendor TA intake form.
Frequently Asked Questions
Projects must be eligible for the Solar plus Storage for Resilient Communities grant program. The project must be led by one for the following:
- Local government
- State government
- Tribal government or affiliate
- Retail electric utility
- Non-profit organization
Eligible facilities include:
- Community centers, recreation centers, park facilities and libraries that are regularly open to the public or where individuals access publicly-funded services
- Income-qualified multifamily housing and assisted living facilities
- Pre-K-12 schools and higher education that will be open to the public during extended outages
- Religiously-affiliated buildings (churches, mosques, temples, etc.) that will be open to the public during emergencies
- Shelters, day centers, food banks and other community service centers for vulnerable populations
- Other buildings and facilities owned by state and local governments, including public safety facilities, administrative buildings, wastewater and water infrastructure, hospitals, and other critical facilities
If you’ve identified community needs but need help deciding where emergency back-up power would best serve those needs, or if you need help identifying and prioritizing community needs, then select planning assistance.
If you’ve already selected a site for emergency back-up power, a feasibility study will help you with the technical information you need to apply for a Track 2: Installation grant in the future.
Still not sure? Contact us at Solar@Commerce.wa.gov and we will help you determine the best fit.
Contact
Maureen Maples, Solar Programs Manager
Email: Solar@Commerce.wa.gov
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Resources
- Energy Resilience and Emergency Management
- Federal Solar Tax Credits for Businesses | Department of Energy
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory Technical Assistance
- Resilient Power Project Technical Assistance
- Urban Sustainability Directors Network
- Blog: What Nonprofits Need to Know about the Investment Tax Credit
- Investment Tax Credit Fact Sheets: Bonus Credit Program
- CEG’s Resilient Power Project Publishes Resources Overviewing ITC Tax Credits